The course of events was not complicated.
It turned out that on her way to Kyoto, Qing Ji encountered this Ashiya Doman, and upon seeing Qing Ji, he discovered her true identity. This old guy had so crooked ideas, wanting to subdue Qing Ji as his own shikigami.
Shikigami is also known as a servant god.
Typically, ordinary yin yang masters use spirit bodies that are invisible to the naked eye as shikigami. In this world, ghosts and demons with physical forms aren't weak. For yokai like Qing Ji, it's impossible to be made into a shikigami unless the yin yang master is extraordinarily powerful. This thod of controlling ghostly entities is sowhat like a druid's animal spirit companion, except a yin yang master's thods are more extre. So malicious yin yang masters even personally refine shikigami, an evolution of witchcraft.
Subduing a yokai as a shikigami requires a secret magic contract; it's not as simple as capturing ordinary ghostly beings.
Ashiya Doman wanted to make Qing Ji his shikigami, but he suffered a major setback at her hands. If this old guy hadn't run away fast enough, he might have been reduced to ashes by Qing Ji's fire. Many great demons have strength surpassing yin yang masters. Most of Abe no Seii's shikigami are ghostly entities, so Ashiya Doman's idea of capturing Qing Ji was tantamount to courting death.
Although he was a bit afraid of Qing Ji, after hearing the whole story, Su Ziyu's expression turned cold.
Fear of Qing Ji aside, it didn't an he would allow this old man, Ashiya Doman, to target her!
— "Spiritual Vision!"
A trace of spiritual light appeared in Su Ziyu's eyes. He could see a white flood dragon coiling behind Abe no Seii, while a ferocious giant dog demon followed Ashiya Doman.
In Fusang, there are tales of Inugami and Dog Demons. Inugami is a guardian spirit, commonly used to protect its master, while a Dog Demon is a more ferocious creature resembling an Inugami but more sinister, and it can backlash against its master. The one behind Ashiya Doman was a Dog Demon. In the world of yin yang masters, both Inugami and Dog Demons are considered high-tier shikigami; so yin yang masters may even be controlled by them. In terms of strength, this Dog Demon wasn't much weaker than Abe no Seii's white flood dragon.
Su Ziyu's expression changed significantly.
Abe no Seii was a wise man, and with just a glance, he guessed that Ashiya Doman had likely clashed with the two before him. However, he was quite pleased with this developnt, as Ashiya Doman had once been his rival. If it weren't for the major crisis in Kyoto prompting the Imperial Family to summon yin yang masters from all over, he wouldn't have cooperated with his old rival.
Qing Ji smiled softly, her face gentle, but her white hand was clutching her white paper umbrella. She slightly tilted her head, looking at Su Ziyu, as if waiting for his word to give Ashiya Doman a hard ti.
"Abe no Seii!" Ashiya Doman suddenly stood up and addressed Abe no Seii, "The Imperial Family has instructed us to cooperate and quickly resolve the issue in Kyoto."
Hearing this, Abe no Seii hesitated for a mont and then transmitted a ssage to Su Ziyu, "Might you do a favor and settle your scores with him later?"
"Many yin yang masters have already arrived from various places."
"By tomorrow night, we are scheduled to attack the Ghost Capital and quell this turmoil."
Upon hearing these words, Su Ziyu pondered for a mont, then nodded, saying, "Alright."
He placed his hand gently on Qing Ji's, indicating she should hold off for now. The score with Ashiya Doman would surely be settled, but now was not the ti to confront him directly. In Fusang, there are two factions of yin yang masters: one led by Abe no Seii, part of the Imperial Family, and the other by Ashiya Doman, representing the civilian yin yang masters.
If a fight really broke out, this operation might lose a lot of cannon fodder.
"Rest assured, I will have the Imperial Family arrange for them to lead the charge," Abe no Seii whispered with a faint smile, transmitting the ssage secretly.
Indeed, Abe no Seii was quite adept.
Looking slightly embarrassed, Qing Ji glanced at the back of her hand. Her husband had just held her hand, and the thought of confronting Ashiya Doman wasn't as pressing anymore. She usually only thought of finding soone to beat up to vent when she was in a bad mood.
Ashiya Doman gave Su Ziyu a glance, his expression slightly grim, and bid farewell with a bow to Abe no Seii.
Today, he had to rely on his old rival's help to get away, which was truly a disgrace. Yet, he dared not actually fight Qing Ji, as she had burned several of his shikigami to ashes last ti. If he engaged now, his strength might be severely compromised before the action even began. Ashiya Doman had always wanted to replace Abe no Seii. In his view, this operation was an opportunity, and he had already secretly reached out to Fujiwara Hideko's faction, believing that if he perford well, he could one day rival Abe no Seii.
Ashiya Doman was originally exiled and had not chosen to beco a civilian yin yang master of his own will.
"Lord Su!" After watching Ashiya Doman leave in disgrace, Abe no Seii raised his hand in an inviting gesture.
An invisible ghostly maiden put away the tea set and quietly retreated into the dwelling.
This was the earth-bound spirit of the place.
"Hundreds of yin yang masters have already arrived in Kyoto today," Abe no Seii said softly after sitting down. "More will likely arrive tomorrow, and by tomorrow night at midnight, we plan to lift the seal on Rashomon and enter the Underworld."
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